Continuing his commitment to rein in government spending, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) cosponsored a proposed Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 

“One of my biggest priorities in Congress is balancing the nation’s budget which is why this is one of the first pieces of legislation that I cosponsored in the 114^th Congress,” Luetkemeyer said. “The House continues to be proactive in getting our nation’s balanced budget and a Balanced Budget Amendment would be a significant step toward solving our nation’s out of control spending problem. I will push to ensure this amendment comes to the House floor for a vote so Congress can ensure the federal government lives within its means.”

The amendment would require that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts of the federal government. It would also require a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber to increase the debt ceiling; would direct the president to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually; would prohibit any bill to increase revenue from becoming law unless approved by three-fifths of each chamber by roll call vote; and would only authorize waivers of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict.

Luetkemeyer cosponsored the Balanced Budget Amendment at the start of the 113^th Congress.